diff --git a/include/wx/generic/srchctlg.h b/include/wx/generic/srchctlg.h
index a3d0ce86fe..ebcae90e78 100644
--- a/include/wx/generic/srchctlg.h
+++ b/include/wx/generic/srchctlg.h
@@ -61,9 +61,8 @@ public:
     virtual void ShowCancelButton( bool show ) wxOVERRIDE;
     virtual bool IsCancelButtonVisible() const wxOVERRIDE;
 
-    // TODO: In 2.9 these should probably be virtual, and declared in the base class...
-    void SetDescriptiveText(const wxString& text);
-    wxString GetDescriptiveText() const;
+    virtual void SetDescriptiveText(const wxString& text) wxOVERRIDE;
+    virtual wxString GetDescriptiveText() const wxOVERRIDE;
 
     // accessors
     // ---------
diff --git a/include/wx/osx/srchctrl.h b/include/wx/osx/srchctrl.h
index 4a4d88af47..2bef62b75e 100644
--- a/include/wx/osx/srchctrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/osx/srchctrl.h
@@ -54,9 +54,8 @@ public:
     virtual void ShowCancelButton( bool show ) wxOVERRIDE;
     virtual bool IsCancelButtonVisible() const wxOVERRIDE;
 
-    // TODO: In 2.9 these should probably be virtual, and declared in the base class...
-    void        SetDescriptiveText(const wxString& text);
-    wxString    GetDescriptiveText() const;
+    virtual void SetDescriptiveText(const wxString& text) wxOVERRIDE;
+    virtual wxString GetDescriptiveText() const wxOVERRIDE;
 
     virtual bool    HandleSearchFieldSearchHit() ;
     virtual bool    HandleSearchFieldCancelHit() ;
diff --git a/include/wx/srchctrl.h b/include/wx/srchctrl.h
index b28d3912d1..791fcb8092 100644
--- a/include/wx/srchctrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/srchctrl.h
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ public:
     virtual void ShowCancelButton( bool show ) = 0;
     virtual bool IsCancelButtonVisible() const = 0;
 
+    virtual void SetDescriptiveText(const wxString& text) = 0;
+    virtual wxString GetDescriptiveText() const = 0;
+
 private:
     // implement wxTextEntry pure virtual method
     virtual wxWindow *GetEditableWindow() wxOVERRIDE { return this; }